Why folk
art??
Artistic expression is a very basic human trait. Man has been known to practise art since pre-historic times. In contemporary times, people generally associate art with abstract and conceptual visuals, often layered with heavy symbolism and technique. In contrast, tribal art, otherwise also known as folk or indigenous art, is basically a minimalistic expression of the commonalities of everyday tribal life, shorn of any form of gimmicks or glamor. Some don’t even consider it art, and delegate tribal artists to the status of “artisans”.
But when you delve deeper, and perceive the essence of folk art, you begin to see how simple, beautiful, effective, informative and in some cases even chic, it is. And be it the intricate details of a Madhubani painting, or the robust vivacity of Worli art, or the earthy, everyday themes of Gond art, the one common factor that binds these expressions is the timeless quality of this form of art. Since ages, these paintings have served as emissaries of history, drawing richly from our ancient myths and epics. They record the unique traditions of tribal groups from distant regions of India and serve as cultural beacons. They also serve to break established notions of how art is to be perceived. Above all, they stand as a unique and powerful medium of expression of the trials and tribulations of marginalized tribal life, as well as a kaleidoscopic view of the fine nuances of their traditions and culture.
Here in Chitrankan.in, we recognize this, and with great empathy and utmost respect to these so called “artisans”, we aim to help lesser known tribal artists from certain villages in India to showcase their work and earn a better living. We aim to make Chitrankan a niche platform, where we sell tribal art prints at affordable rates to art patrons around the globe. We hope that our endeavour will support these talented artists and popularize folk art.
